History of the Sabbath and First Day of the Week - John N. Andrews

that creature every year

that creature every year changes its kind, and is sometimes male, and sometimes female."[17] Thus first-day historians being allowed to decide the case, we are authorized to treat this epistle as a forgery. And whoever will read its ninth chapter -- for it will not bear quoting -- will acknowledge the justice of this conclusion. This epistle is the only writing purporting to come from the first century except the New Testament, in which the first day is even referred to. That this furnishes no support for Sunday observance, even Mosheim acknowledges. The next document that claims our attention is the letter of Pliny, the Roman governor of Bythinia, to the emperor Trajan. It was written about A.D. 104. He says ofthe Christians of his province:-- "They affirmed that the whole oftheir guilt or error was, that they met on a certain stated day, before it was light, and addressed themselves in a form of prayer to Christ, as to some god, binding 392

themselves by a solemn oath, not for the purposes of any wicked design, but never to commit any fraud, theft, or adultery; never to falsify their word, nor deny a trust when they should be called upon to deliver it up; after which it was their custom to separate, andthen re-assemble to eat in common a harmless meal."[18] This epistle of Pliny certainly furnishes no support for Sunday observance. The case is presented in a candid manner by Coleman. He says of this extract:-- "This statement is evidence that these Christians kept a day as holy time, but whether it was the last or the first day ofthe week, does not appear."[19] Charles Buck, an eminent first-day writer, saw no evidence in this epistle of first-day observance, as is manifest from the indefinite translation which he gives it. Thus he cites the epistle:-- "These persons declare that their whole crime, 393

The Children for Christ, contains 52 devotional readings on the subject of parental duty. Each lesson includes passage from the Bible and Murray's thoughts on how the passage illuminates the important role of parenting. The lessons all conclude with a short prayer. Christian Parenting is a timeless resource for parents who want to learn more about strengthening their Christian household.

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